Parents urged to seek early mental health support for children
01 Jun 2025 01:00pm
Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia's main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic. - 123RF photo
IPOH - Parents should seek early mental health support for their children to prevent long-term emotional and developmental issues, especially amid a rise in post-pandemic psychological challenges.
Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony said early intervention can make a significant difference, as young minds are more adaptable and responsive to therapy.
"Many parents hesitate because of stigma or fear of what others might say, but delaying help only makes matters worse,' he told reporters at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025 here recently.
Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia's main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic.
Dr Ian said while some young patients present with conditions such as autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), others struggle with stress and emotional difficulties linked to academic pressure or family problems.
"The key is to identify signs early such as changes in behaviour, sudden withdrawal or difficulty coping at school,' he said.
He added that no referral letter is needed to seek treatment at Hospital Bahagia, which accepts walk-in patients and is staffed by a team of specialists and medical officers. The facility also works closely with schools and receives referrals from teachers who observe behavioural changes in students.
Additional child and adolescent psychiatric services are also available at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and Taiping Hospital.
Dr Ian also warned that increased screen time and social media use are emerging as significant factors in declining mental wellbeing among children and teens.
"When we were growing up, we didn't have this level of digital exposure. Today's children face constant pressure to keep up online, which can undermine their self-esteem and resilience,' he said, urging parents to monitor their children's device usage closely.
Meanwhile, Perak Human Resource, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan, who officiated the conference, said it was timely given the rise in youth mental health issues.
He cited findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which revealed that 16.5 per cent of children aged five to 15 in Malaysia were experiencing mental health problems, nearly double the rate reported in 2019.
The three-day conference themed 'Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing', is being held at Casuarina Meru and gathers experts nationwide to discuss best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support. - BERNAMA
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